Laterals in football: the universal soldier on the flank

Modern football changes faster than tactical encyclopedias can be published. Not long ago, players on the flanks were clearly divided into defenders and midfielders. Today, the boundaries are blurred, and laterals are increasingly active on the flank. The term comes from Italian and Spanish football, and in Russia, more and more coaches and commentators are using it. Let's find out who a lateral is, what tasks they solve, and how they differ from full-backs, wingers, and wing midfielders.

Who is a lateral in simple words

A lateral is a full-back who combines the functions of a defender and a midfielder. He acts all along the flank, participating in both defensive and attacking actions. Unlike the classic full-back, a lateral often joins the attack and can take shots. Unlike a winger (a flank attacker), he does not forget about his direct duties — to disrupt the opponent's attacks and cover the center.

The ideal lateral is a footballer with incredible physical endurance. During the match, he runs more than anyone else in the team, as he must keep up with both the flank defense and the final third of the field. A good lateral knows how to pass, cross, perform a lofted pass, but at the same time, he plays hard in the tackle and chooses the right position during a counter-attack.

Lateral and full-back: what is the difference

A full-back is a traditional flank defender in a scheme with four defenders. His main task is to neutralize the opponent's winger and rarely join the attack (only during set pieces or quick breaks). A lateral, however, acts more variably. He can start an attack from deep, go for a breakthrough, move to the center, and even play the role of a false midfielder.

The difference is also evident in the schemes. Full-backs fit perfectly into 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, where zones of responsibility are clearly defined. Laterals, on the other hand, excel in schemes with three central defenders (3-5-2, 5-3-2, 3-4-3). In essence, a lateral is a wing midfielder who retreats to the defensive line when the ball is lost. This is why the best laterals in the world (such as Marcos Alonso, Hans Hattebur, Robin Gosens) have played or are playing in systems with three central defenders.

Lateral and winger: do they compete or complement each other

In terms of tactics, laterals and wingers are on the same flank. However, their tasks are different, and they often even compete for a spot in the lineup. A winger is an attacking player. He should move to the center, take shots, and make assists. Defensive duties are secondary for him. A lateral, however, remains a defender even when actively going forward. If there is a strong winger in the team, a lateral can cover him from behind and create a numerical advantage. If there is no winger, a lateral takes over the entire flank, acting as a "universal soldier".

In modern football, the scheme 3-4-3 is often used, where two laterals cover the entire flank without the help of wingers. In schemes 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, both wingers and full-backs can act on one flank — in this case, there is no pure lateral.

History of the term's appearance: the Italian trace

In Italian football, the word "laterale" was used to refer to flank defenders in the 3-5-2 scheme back in the 1980s. However, the term gained worldwide fame in the early 21st century thanks to coaches who promoted aggressive flank football. In Russia and the countries of the former USSR, terms such as "flank defender," "flankworker," and "wing midfielder" were used for a long time. Now, "lateral" is actively entering the lexicon due to the massive influence of foreign tactical schools and the popularity of video games (in Football Manager and FIFA, players on the flanks in three-center schemes are marked as "laterals").

The best laterals of the modern era

The ideal lateral should have speed, work rate, and the ability to play two touches. Here are a few bright examples from recent years.

• Ashraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco national team). Plays on the right flank. Great speed, powerful shot, excellent technique. In Inter under Conte, he was a classic lateral in 3-5-2, almost playing like a winger.
• Robin Gosens (Germany national team). The idol of all fans of Atalanta during Gasparrini's era. Scored 10-12 goals per season, playing on the left flank.
• Juan Cuadrado (formerly Juventus, Chelsea). Began as a winger but qualified as a lateral in Italy. He did not lose dribbling, but improved in defense.
• Marcos Alonso (Barcelona, Chelsea). Best revealed by Antonio Conte in Chelsea, where he often scored decisive goals, joining from deep.

Among Russian examples, Mario Fernandes (in his best years in CSKA, he played as a lateral in the 5-3-2 scheme) and Sergey Terekhov ("Sochi," "Rostov") — a hardworking footballer with a good cross — can be mentioned.

Tactical nuances: how to play a lateral

If a coach sets the task of playing with laterals, several points should be considered. Firstly, a lateral should not lose position during transitions from defense to attack. He must be able to go forward and return. Therefore, laterals often have exceptional physical preparation (Vo2max at the level of swimmers).

Secondly, a lateral needs a partner who will cover his back. In schemes 3-5-2 and 3-4-3, this role is played by the wing central defenders. They move to the flank when the lateral goes forward. Without such cover, the entire defensive structure collapses.

Thirdly, a lateral must be able to cross with both feet. If he acts in a 3-5-2, crosses are his main weapon. In a 4-4-2, from a lateral (who is more likely to be called a full-back there), simpler crosses and touches are often required.

Disadvantages of playing with laterals: what is criticized about this tactic

The main drawback of laterals is the colossal load on specific players. Injuries on this position happen more often than in central defenders or pivot players. If there is no quality rotation, a lateral "sits down" after 60 minutes of the match, and the team drops off on the flanks. The second drawback is vulnerability against teams that like long-range counter-attacks. If the lateral does not return in time, any fast winger can use the free zone on his flank. Finally, a lateral requires a special team structure — not every lineup fits a tactic with three central defenders.

Lateral in youth football

Coaches in academies often force the training of playing on the lateral position. This is difficult because children do not have the necessary physique yet. Instead of bending the line "lateral — universal player," wise coaches first teach the defender to defend and the midfielder to attack. Only after the age of 16, when the physical potential becomes clear, the most enduring are transferred to laterals. In Russia, there are still problems with this: many young footballers are not ready for such a workload and burn out by the age of 22.

Conclusion: lateral — a trend or for a long time

A lateral is not just a tactical trend but a response to the increased intensity of the game. Football is becoming faster, and players who can cover the entire flank are invaluable. Top clubs pay tens of millions for laterals, and the demand for them does not decrease. Even in the classic 4-3-3 formation, full-backs are increasingly playing like laterals (remember Trent Alexander-Arnold or Joao Cancelo).

So, the position has come seriously and for a long time. This means that every young footballer who wants to become sought-after should at least try himself on the flank — perhaps, in the role of a universal lateral.

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